The Beloved Baby Priestess of the Twelve Zodiac Gods - Chapter 20

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 20
Do Kyeong’s sudden proclamation had left Hui Taek in deep contemplation.
From his manner, it seemed he wished to hide the family origins of the child he had brought with him.
‘Hmm. Perhaps this is an opportunity instead.’
If she were not to be a daughter-in-law, there was no reason to put up his guard.
Hui Taek quickly finished his calculations and cleared the awkward atmosphere.
“Surely we cannot oppose whatever the family head decides.”
“Hmm?”
When Hui Taek yielded so unexpectedly, Do Kyeong tilted his head in surprise.
But Hui Taek’s true play lay in his next words.
“However, it seems the young lady may not yet be accustomed to the household. Wouldn’t it be better if she had a friend to share her feelings with?”
At the word ‘friend’, Do Kyeong caught the hidden intention and let out a low chuckle.
“And then?”
When Do Kyeong invited him to continue, Hui Taek pressed on.
“What if you appointed one of the daughters from the Elder Family Houses as a companion to the young lady? Ideally someone of similar age, would you not agree?”
As it happened, Geum Hui Taek had one granddaughter who was eight years old.
She was a very well-behaved child, marked as a match for Do Hun since her early years.
Meanwhile, at the mention of ‘companion,’ the elders stirred restlessly.
“Elder Hui Taek! Surely such a matter should be decided through consultation among us elders, should it not?”
“I happen to have a daughter who is six years old.”
“Must it be a girl? I have a son of suitable age myself.”
Each elder grew eager to push forward a child from his own family, and the atmosphere threatened to become chaotic.
Do Kyeong, who had been observing the developments all along, finally spoke.
“A fine idea indeed. Then surely it would be most fitting if the child herself chooses her own friend, would it not?”
For Do Kyeong, who had wished to find a friend for Arin anyway, this was not an unwelcome proposal.
Though his intentions were not entirely pure.
‘It would be good for Arin to have one of the Elder Family Houses as a solid connection.’
Besides, even if not as a friend, it would be useful for her to become familiar with the faces of daughters from the Elder Houses in time.
Do Kyeong smiled with satisfaction.
“I shall arrange a welcoming gathering soon. Since Arin will select her own playmate, I hope there will be no further objections from anyone.”
* * *
Since arriving at the Geum Ho Family, sumptuous meals appeared at every sitting, as if the table legs might buckle under their weight.
After each meal, Eun Baek always came with Medicinal Tonic to examine her.
It was by order of the family head, who had commanded a thorough assessment of Arin’s condition.
Eun Baek, the physician in charge of the Yakseondang, was a healer who attended only the family head and direct bloodline.
After Do Kyeong declared before the Elder Council that he would register Arin as a foster daughter,
those who wished to see her sent requests daily from outside, but all were turned away.
The reason was simple: Arin herself did not yet know of this situation.
“This is a medicinal tonic to strengthen your constitution.”
As Eun Baek offered the tonic, Arin squeezed her eyes shut and gulped it down obediently.
“Well done, very well done.”
He then offered her a piece of candy, and Arin accepted it with a broad smile.
Over the past few days, as Eun Baek observed Arin’s condition, he discovered a most peculiar fact.
Ordinarily, when someone lacked a Spiritual Core, the energy would be blocked, dissipating inwardly or burdening the body.
Thus the tonics he had been giving Arin used ingredients meant to help her naturally dissipate the energy.
‘Yet her energy only seems to grow more abundant, her strength increasing.’
Faced with a phenomenon he had never witnessed before, Eun Baek had reported to Do Kyeong several days ago.
‘Miss Arin’s body is truly mysterious. I have never encountered such a case.’
‘Perhaps our Arin is a genius after all.’
‘Yes? Family head. I am not joking. If the energy continues to grow at this rate, it could become dangerous….’
‘Ah, from now on, use the medicinal ingredients listed here to prepare the tonic.’
Do Kyeong cut off Eun Baek’s words and handed him a note containing ingredients that would harmonize Yin and Yang energies alongside those that would further strengthen her energy.
For Eun Baek, who had advised that they find a way to suppress the energy, the contents were beyond belief.
‘Did you properly hear what I said? These ingredients are incompatible with Miss Arin. If handled carelessly, she may not endure the Spiritual Core Energy and something terrible may occur.’
‘Do you think I don’t know that?’
‘Yes?’
‘Just do it. This is by direct instruction of the Divine Maiden Yeo Ryeong.’
‘How could that be…?’
‘Listen well, Eun Baek. Arin is a Twelve Zodiac that the Divine Maiden personally cares for. So keep your ears open and your mouth shut.’
In other words, this was a stern warning not to disclose Arin’s condition to anyone outside.
Eun Baek could offer no further objection to Yeo Ryeong’s command.
After the family head herself, now the Priestess was taking notice of this child.
‘There’s clearly something far more significant hidden beneath the surface than I realized.’
It was possible that Arin might soon be summoned to the Twelve Zodiac Divine Village.
Still, he could not help but worry.
Every day Eun Baek came to examine Arin himself, and before long he had no choice but to acknowledge that Yeo Ryeong’s diagnosis had been accurate.
Arin was accepting the new medicinal preparations beautifully.
Once he confirmed his concerns had been unfounded, Eun Baek’s heart grew considerably lighter.
It was then that Cho Ryeong spoke.
“By the way, have you heard the news? There’s going to be a welcome gathering for Arin soon.”
“A welcome gathering?”
“Children from the Elder Family Houses who are close to Arin’s age will be invited as well—it should be quite pleasant, don’t you think?”
At the mention of peers being invited, Arin’s eyes sparkled with delight.
“Really?”
She had grown close to Cho Ryeong quickly enough to drop formalities with her, but Do Young was the only peer she’d met since arriving here.
Seeing the anticipation blazing in her eyes, Cho Ryeong’s laughter spilled out.
“You’re that pleased?”
Arin’s expression, which had been nodding vigorously just a moment before, suddenly clouded over.
A moment later, she asked quietly, wringing her hands.
“But… the children of the Elder Family Houses—I need to make a good impression on them, don’t I?”
“Pardon?”
“I don’t want to cause trouble for you, sir…”
Remembering the Elder children from her time at the Hong Sa Family, Arin’s worry surfaced.
Back then, a child she had been quite close to had learned of her circumstances and turned cold, leaving her deeply wounded.
But her situation now was even worse than it had been then.
To them, she was nothing but a stone that had rolled in uninvited.
As her face darkened in an instant, Cho Ryeong stood flustered—
Then suddenly Arin’s feet lifted from the ground as she found herself swept into a broad embrace.
Realizing who held her, Arin broke into a broad smile.
“Sir!”
“This child—I look away for a moment and she’s drowning in clouds. Who told you to worry about pleasing the Elder Family children?”
“But… I’m an outsider, and they were raised with such privilege here.”
“I regard you as precious—what concern are a few Elder houses to me?”
Do Kyeong dismissed her worries with a wave, but Arin could not be reassured.
In truth, the decisive reason Hong I Jin had confined Arin to the outer quarters was because of the Elders themselves.
At that time, Arin had been summoned before the Elder Council, forced to endure cold stares and cutting words.
The Hong Sa Family’s power was that thoroughly wielded by the Elders.
“I’m afraid you’ll be put in a difficult position because of me.”
Her expression was innocent, yet filled with concern as she gazed up at Do Kyeong.
When this tiny child showed such worry for his sake, Do Kyeong’s lips curved upward.
“So you’re saying all this concern—it’s because you’re worried about me?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t wish to have a friend?”
“I want one… but not if it has to be forced.”
She did not want to be rejected and hurt again.
Seeing such unexpected resolve, Do Kyeong felt instead relieved.
He had been concerned that Arin might be swayed by the Elder children.
“Well then. There is one way to put all that worry to rest.”
As Do Kyeong broached the subject, Cho Ryeong covered her mouth and giggled, while Eun Baek shook his head as if to say the situation was hopeless.
They already knew that the decision to make Arin a foster daughter had been made.
But Arin, suspecting none of this, asked innocently—
“What is it?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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